PRIVATE RELIGION?

JOHN 12:42–43

… for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God

(John 12:43).

A great many of the Jews did not believe Jesus because they were blind to the truth. However, some did believe, but they refused to confess Jesus publicly. Their reticence came from a fear of the Pharisees, who had decreed that any follower of Jesus would be excommunicated from the synagogue. Matthew Henry comments that “there is cause to question the sincerity of that faith which is either afraid or ashamed to show itself; for those who believe with the heart ought to confess with the mouth (Rom. 10:9).”

Is there reason, therefore, to suspect that the belief of these Jews was spurious instead of true? That was certainly a possibility which is reinforced when you consider the root cause of their fear: “They loved the praise of men rather than the praise of God.” This comes dangerously close to the idolatry described by Paul in Romans 1:25, where men “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” Having put God on one side and the opinions of men on the other, the scaled tipped in favor of worldly applause. Instead of the eternal God, they chose the fleeting praise of men. This certainly causes one to question their sincerity.

Another consideration that makes their “belief” questionable is Jesus’ own words in Matthew 10:32 and Mark 8:38: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Or, as Mark says, if you are “ashamed” of Christ, then He will be ashamed of you.

As you can see, private religion has no place among the people of God. If you truly believe in Christ, you will openly confess your faith. But if you deny Him and His teaching, then He will deny you before His Father. You might make every excuse in the world for your silence, but the truth of the matter will be that you loved the praise of men more than God or (as is stated elsewhere) that you feared man more than God.

Those who say, “I do not talk about my faith because it is a private matter” must beware, for Christ has commanded us to confess publicly that He is God; if we are unwilling to do this at least, we can make no assumptions that we are saved.

CORAM DEO

Psalm 59–61

Acts 28:16–31

Read John 12:42 then read James 2:19. The same word for believe (pisteuo) is used in both these verses. What does this imply? Can a person believe that Christ is who He says He is but not have true, saving faith? Have you confessed openly that you believe in Christ or do you keep your religion private?

For further study: Luke 12:8–12 • 2 Tim. 2:11–13

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